Lita
Privateer
Posts: 166
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Post by Lita on Nov 25, 2005 21:38:28 GMT -5
Driver Comments: Lita-Subaru
I am absolutely delighted with my result in portugal-words cannot describe my happiness. It's such a great feeling to come out on top after the past few rallies and the dissapointment we have had. Mitch has been performing well but, in a way I have felt that I really did need to improve-he's a hard act to follow! My speed was not so good early in the season and although I had a win, that was because the car was so wonderfully set up and everything went my way-I was very lucky that time out. You can't rely on that all the time-sometimes you have to make your own luck and this is what I tried to put into practice here. I have been working continuously on getting my speed up to scratch and it's now coming together for me. I have to say-Mitch came out and gave us another sterling effort this rally also-he had a few niggling issues with the car but, under the circumstances he drove brilliantly and was really gunning for a win. His third place is fantastic and is testament to just how good a driver he really is-congratulations Mitch-your recent efforts have bought out the best in everyone!
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Post by Rallying83 on Nov 26, 2005 0:04:40 GMT -5
** Mitsubishi Rally Report** It was not a good rally for us. The setup was not the greatest and Rallying83's turbo gave out costing him lots of time. It is still early though but we need to make sure that we give it 100% and try for a turn around. Crashes two rallies in a row is not good. We have also spoken to both drivers and have reminded them that points are what Mitsubishi are here for. Our goal is to be like Citroen. Though no wins, the drivers and team are ahead of the game. We really need to step up to the plate because we are at great risk of getting left behind. Rallying83's blown turbo Mitsubishi have aquired the services of rally great Gilles Panizzi. Panizzi will be conducting extensive tarmac tests to help the team prepare for the up and coming tarmac rallies.
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Capeta
Spectator
Goodbye Mitsubishi . . .
Posts: 32
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Post by Capeta on Nov 26, 2005 2:56:50 GMT -5
Skoda -- Portugal RallyCapeta: "I guess it didn't help that we were first on the road, but on the second stage we lost hydraulic pressure. So I had to change gears manually. The next thing that went wrong were the diffs. On stage 3, I lost some more time with a spin."
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Post by erocracing on Nov 26, 2005 14:42:31 GMT -5
For a rookie, I am pleaed with my performance so far. I hope I can continue to contribute to the Ford team
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rj
Spectator
Posts: 31
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Post by rj on Nov 26, 2005 15:05:18 GMT -5
FORD REVIEW OF PORTUGAL- RJ "After the first two stages, I knew I was in for a chance to take victory so I was pushing real hard through Gois. It was stupid for me to throw caution into the wind the way I did, so I'm disappointed and very sorry for my team and teammates. No further comments."
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Post by tumbo on Nov 27, 2005 0:10:10 GMT -5
*** FCT Press Release ***
We congratulate Subaru on another win and were very pleased with our performance. We would also like to apologise to the good ppl at Mecure Hotels Portugal. Celebrations by Tumbo's crew on his first podium of the yr got out of hand and caused some damage to the downstairs' lobby. FCT have taken action against those responsible.
Tumbo "The car was brilliant, really smooth. I'm unsure where I lost time in the second and third loop of stages though, have the Subaru Turbo's been checked? (laughs) We're heading in the right direction with the development of the car, but Wayno and I still want that elusive victory"
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wayno
Privateer
Posts: 125
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Post by wayno on Nov 28, 2005 16:26:33 GMT -5
****PRESS RELEASE****
What a poor result that was for us! Many congrats to the Subaru team, but I feel like we have been treading water at FCT despite a recent glut of testing. Firstly, let me congratulate Tumbo on turning his season around. It is fantastic to see, as there has been a bit of pressure on him lately that I thought was unjustified. The car is still very reliable, but it is not fast enough to win rallies. That is a fact. The drivers have been doing the best they can under the circumstances, but after the team deciding it is ok to criticise the drivers publicly then my opinion is 'what's good for the goose is good for the gander'. Our last round of testing was a disaster. After working very hard on the roads of Perth I had some ideas for changes to the front suspension and a few other things. A certain French member of the crew told me that these would not work and refused point blank to discuss them any further. When drivers ideas are dismissed out of hand because they don't fit in with certain philosophies people have then I feel there is a problem. The year started wonderfully at FCT. The atmosphere was harmonious and it was fun to spend time at the factory, test, etc. I think our biggest problem has been our success. The factory have been taking more of an interest since we started showing we might be a chance to take both titles. They have a different way of doing things, and the team is definately NOT the one I started the year for. I expect to be censured for my opinions, but am beyond caring. I know a lot of my crew are experiencing the same feelings, it just seems that I am the one to say something. The factory engineers should go back to headquarters. They are not needed.
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Post by tumbo on Nov 29, 2005 0:56:12 GMT -5
*** FCT Management Press Release ***
We would like to publically apologise to our drivers for any distress certain team members may have invoked. We have spoken with our team principle and as a result have removed a number of personel from the team. Team Principle L. H Drive has agreed to stand down immediately for his failure to properly address the problems in the team. As a manufacturer we have nothing but praise for both our drivers and their results until this point in the season. Contrary to team statements there is no intention on our part to remove either driver, nor to terminate either contract. We would hope that both our drivers remain with the team beyond the current season and choose to take up their contract options for the following 2 years. We are disappointed that the test funding has not proved to be as beneficial as we first hoped. We intend to sit down with Wayno and Tunbo in the near future to discuss the direction which needs to be taken to improve our on track results.
That Wayno has felt the need to speak out the way he has is very sad, but we totally understand his position. We thank Wayno for standing behind Tumbo and will be doing all possible to provide both drivers with the cars needed to win rallies. That both our drivers are sitting in the top three and that we have a lead in the manufacturers title shows that our belief in the success of our car was justified.
We congratulate Carlos Sainz on his new appointment as FCT team manager and hope that his years of experience will aid in our future endeavours. We would also like to announce that we have changed our front shock supplier. Post Portugal testing showed that the struts supplied to Wayno's car contained serious manufacturing weaknessess including hairline fractures which could have proved fatal to Wayno's challenge for the driver's title.
We would like to thank the personel for both cars, discussions with these crew members helped to strengthen Wayno's statement and has firmed our resolve to return the team atmosphere to that which started our campaign so strongly
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Mitch
Privateer
RIP Richard Burns.
Posts: 171
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Post by Mitch on Nov 29, 2005 3:03:18 GMT -5
Another great result for the Subaru team with both drivers on the podium again. Also with 1st and 5th in the championship and coming second by a point in the team championship we are very happy with our performance with such a low at the start of the year.
Rumours: Peugeot might release a new car in RFC 2006 season. The car is aid to be totally revamped and new. Is this true and will it be on the pace.
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Post by Rallying83 on Nov 29, 2005 19:05:36 GMT -5
**Breaking news** Just hours after Mitch reported rumors of Peugeot developing a new car, one of our photographers produced these photos. The car looks to be based on the 307 series but we can't be sure. We have asked Peugeot for a response but have not received a reply as of yet. Peugeot's next RFC challenger??
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Post by Rallying83 on Nov 30, 2005 22:24:30 GMT -5
The RFC is back on tarmac. Spain proved to be a very close rally with all of the cars showing that they have speed on the hard stuff. Ford driver RJ finally was able to achieve P1, winning the rally by just 1 second. Mitch came home in 2nd place, helping him earn back some tarmac respect. Skoda's Capeta brought another podium for the czech team, with his teammate scoring another 2 pts. Many were suprised by the Citroens' lack of pace. "Team consistant" have been struggling recently so we will see if they can come up with a solution. Also Mitsubishi's pace seems to have come to a halt. Driver Rallying83 has had a string on non-point scoring rallies. Peugeot's Drew crashed into a barrier on the 2nd stage sending him home early. The Ford Focus and RJ showed they had what it takes Drew's damaged Peugeot
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Post by Rallying83 on Nov 30, 2005 22:28:21 GMT -5
**Mitsubishi Report**
Yet another bad rally for the team. We are still working on a solution but are struggling. Both drivers are complaining about the feeling of the car. ALso reliabilty has been an issue. The new parts that we have been adding still have bugs that we need to sort out. But we and the drivers are confident that we will find a solution.
Rallying83-"I am not happy. The car felt horrible. The new suspension was not good. I don't question the engineers often but I am still not sure why we changed what we had. We were winning rallies and scoring good points. Its like we have to start over again."
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Post by Rallying83 on Nov 30, 2005 22:38:20 GMT -5
**Peugeot Team Report** This was another bad rally for Peugeot. We are finding that our 206 is struggling to keep up with the current RFC cars. Oure driver's are having to push to hard which leads to mistakes. As the spy photo's revealed we have a new car to replace the ageing 206. It is called the Peugeot 307 cc WRC It has a more powerful engine and a longer wheelbase. Also we will be switching our tyres from Michelin to Pirelli as we feel they have the better product. We hope to introduce in on the next rally pending FIA inspection. Peugeot 307 WRC Testing by test driver Freddy Loix Sponsors:
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Post by amylyn on Nov 30, 2005 22:41:50 GMT -5
Not the greatest rally for me but that seems to be the story of the season. I am still a rookie and hope to improve as the season goes on.
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wayno
Privateer
Posts: 125
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Post by wayno on Dec 1, 2005 0:21:18 GMT -5
****PRESS RELEASE****
Well, this was certainly a tough rally for us, but I am not entirely unhappy. The atmosphere in the team seemed a lot more harmonious and we seemed to work well as a unit to try and overcome our problems. I feel we are still a little down on engine power, but my car felt a lot more stable in the front end and I had a lot more confidence throwing the car into corners in the style that I like to. My losing time on the final day was due to a mistake from me. I felt the power was costing us so I was trying to compensate in the corners. Unfortunately I over compensated at one point. To the team my humble apologies. Tumbo and I are both six points off the lead in the drivers points chase and the team has slipped six points down in the manufacturers title. This is a situation that doesn't sit well with any of us here at FCT and we will be working tirelessly to turn things around. Rest assured. The best from us is yet to come!
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